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–+ servings
Pesto Goat Cheese Pasta

Creamy Pesto Goat Cheese Pasta for a Quick Gourmet Meal

This Pesto Goat Cheese Pasta combines rich pesto and creamy goat cheese for a quick and delicious dinner option.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz Pasta Choose spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne, cooked al dente.
For the Sauce
  • 4 oz Goat Cheese Substitute with cream cheese or ricotta if desired.
  • 1/2 cup Pesto Use store-bought or homemade.
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil For sautéing garlic.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced, cook until fragrant.
For Added Crunch
  • 1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts Can replace with walnuts or omit for nut-free.
  • 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Use nutritional yeast for dairy-free.
Optional Brightness
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice Omit if not desired.
Seasoning
  • Salt To taste.
  • Pepper To taste.
For Garnish
  • Fresh Basil or Parsley For garnish.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Skillet
  • colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add 1/2 cup of pesto to the skillet and stir well to combine. Heat for another 1-2 minutes until warmed, then add 4 oz of crumbled goat cheese, stirring until it melts into the sauce.
  4. Gently fold in the drained pasta and toss until coated with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Mix in 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 16gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If freezing, portion into containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or reserved pasta water.

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